Best ways to get fit in your forties

MEN – Weight training:
In your forties, you lose 100g of muscle a year. Beyond 50, that rises to 500g. Research by Dr Robert Wolfe, a professor in geriatrics at the University of Arkansas, shows that a high-intensity session two or three times a week can offset these losses. Begin with weights of 2.2kg, doing bicep curls and lunges. As you progress, it’s worth joining a gym to get a full programme with advice.

WOMEN – Rowing:
The number of women in their forties taking up rowing has soared by 40% in two years. The reason? It is unrivalled in boosting cardiovascular fitness, tones the entire body and core muscles, and burns calories at a minimum rate of 600 per hour. Good technique is crucial. It is a misconception that it’s an arm-focused workout – your legs should do the work.